Lifting apparatus



Aug. 23, 1949. E. P. GRIME LIFTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 24, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A 1949- E. PJGRIME I LIFTINAPPARATUS Filed Jan. 24, 1944 Patented Aug. 23, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIFTING APPARATUS Edward P. Grime, Los Angeles, Calif. Application January 24, 1944, Serial N0. 519,501

9 Claims.

This invention relates to lifting apparatus of Used in this way, two of these jacks can be applied for lifting the landing wheels of an airplane off the :ground, to raise the airplane body for servicing the landing wheels, and this jack is also very useful in lifting one of the landing wheels only, off of the ground, for facilitating changing its tire :-in case it has become flat.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a lifting apparatus with simple construction, which is capable of lifting a load through a considerable height, although taking the same from a point quite near the ground.

Another object of theinvention is to provide a lifting apparatus in which, as the load is raised, a carriage on the frame of the apparatus, that lifts the load, will move in automatically toward a point under the seat for the load on the lifting apparatus,

Portability in a lifting apparatus of this type is most advantageous, and for this reason one of the objects of the invention is to provide simple means including wheels or rollers on which the frame of the lifting apparatus can be trundled to any point desired, and at the same time, to mount these wheels on the frame in such a way that when the load is applied on the loadseat of the apparatus, the frame of the apparatus will descend to the ground level, and be supported directly on the ground.

In the present specification, the invention is described with a construction adapting it to be applied with the frame of the apparatus extending in a plane transverse to the plane of the wheel that is to be lifted; and one of the objects of the invention asapplied to this special purpose, is to provide a construction which will enable the carriage on the jack frame, and which supports the load, to advance automatically as the load is lifted, so as to bring the carriage nearly or substantially under the point of application of the load thrust at the load-seat of the apparatus; also to construct the apparatus and particularly the carriage, in such a way that the presence of a fiat tire on the wheel that is to be lifted, will not interfere in any way with the operation of the lifting apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide the frame of the apparatus with simple means for increasing its stability under the action of the load, and to provide means whereby the point of application of the load thrust to the lifting apparatus, will be brought within the area encompassed by the points of support for the frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide lifting apparatus of this type with a carriage guided on the frame to advance automatically toward a position under the load when the load is lifted, and to provide such a carriage with fluid-operated lifting means to which an operating connection is maintained in any position the carriage may assume.

Further objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel parts and combination of parts to be described hereinafter, all of which contribute to produce an efiicient lifting apparatus.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in the following specification, while the broad scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view showing a portion of the apparatus in side elevation, a portion of the view being broken away so as to show the remainder of the apparatus as viewed in vertical longitudinal section. This view indicates the apparatus in its extended position, that is, in a relation which the parts of the apparatus will assume when supporting a load in an elevated position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1, and showing it in its folded or unextended position ready to take a load at a lower elevation, and raise it to a higher elevation such as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view illustrating the lifting ape paratus in a position of rest ready to take the load and lift it; in this view one of the landing wheels of an airplane is indicated in dotted out? line, together with the hub or arm that projects over the load-seat on the apparatus. This view also illustrates frame extensions in a position to stabilize the apparatus and the action of the load. These extensions in Fig. 3 are illustrated as having a joint connection to the frame, which enables them to be folded against the side of the frame when not in use, and in this position they are indicated in dotted outline. In this view a portion of one of the side bars of the frame is broken away and shown in section, to illustrate more fully the means for guiding the rear end of the carriage on the frame of the apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section upon an enlarged scale, taken about on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, and particularly illustrating the means for mounting the wheels on the frame, which enables the frame to descend relatively to the Wheels under the action of the load. In this figure for the purpose of illustration, the bracket carrying the wl'ieehand the wheel'itself, is shown in a differentposition from that in which it is illustrated in Fig. 3; in other Words, in Fig. 4 the wheel is shown in a plane disposed substantially at right angles to the plane in which it-is illustrated in Fig. 3. V

In practicing the invention, Iprovide a frame l, which is preferably constructed of two side bars la and lb, which are'disposed'parallel with each other so as to form an elongated frame, and

these two side bars are preferably formed of er 'dJoWsr.ii m esfij gi- T e es .4 and? ereede i constitute guide br s pe i ee use iiprefera'bly m sed of We i ee fles figendi l? Corresponding to the two;side b ars"of the frame, and located just inside their inboardedges, 'I'hese side plates 6a and 6b are preferablysubstantially of triangular for m, and"at the rear end of the carriage 61 rq i a ieer lle s.l the bo tom flange 5, bei ng located.;on the outer sides of the sideplates fiq an d Bbfand carried on the ends of a t ransverse tie rod or shaft 8 that connects the two side plates n I At the forward end oi -the frame I I also provide means for g'uiding and supporting the forward end ofthe carriage li, and this guiding grooves "l 3 in themithatfieceive the iawer edges 14 of the forward end of the 'siue'plat'esta and 6b.

This keeps the rollers in position',and these edges 14 are of ou'rse jelevate byressan "ofthepresence of the "rollers; -sofas -"to forr'n a clearance space l5fhetween the ground line I6, and the edges "l 4. This'spaicefis providedto give" clearance for afiat tire 'onajlandingfwheel whenthe jack is used to jackup"such"a"wheelforservicing its tire.

'Mountedpnthe f and -preferablycentrally' between the *sideplates lia and 6b, I'p'rovide power-actuated means l'l which preferably consists 'of a fillid cperated-"cylinder "I 8 having a piston rod or plunger l S' that'can be extended from the cylinder when 'the dp'erating'fiuid is-admitt'ed through-"a eenneetion located at the point 2 linear the in'ner end oi thisfcylinder. E Theinner end of the cylinder' is provided an-iritegral transverse sleeve 2 I that is-mounted for rotation on the horizontal exist: a tran sve'rse' tie bar 22 connecting the s'lde fplates =50 'an'd"6 b. The 'forwardend" of the plungerl9'is"con'nected to a block or a load-seat"3; andha's ahoriz'ontal face '24' tobe placedunder the point oi' application of the load, for example; under the outboard arm w of the landing" wheefW'indicatedin dotted lines in Fig. 3. The face 24 *should "he knurled to prevent its slipping.

Mansis provided for effecting this connection, whichwill enablethe'loadeseat to belifted, and at the same time maintain its seat face-'24 in a channel iron with vertical webs and horizontal i substantially horizontal plane. For this purpose I prefer to employ a lever plate 25 which is of substantially triangular form as shown. There is, of course, one of these lever plates 25 at each side, and each of these lever plates is mounted for rotation on a transverse tie bar 26 that connects the side plates 6a and 6b. The upper ends of the lever plates 25 are attached by a common pivot pin 2! to the load-seat 23. The forward end of the plunger [9 isalsjo attached by a transverse pivot pin or wrist-pin 28 to the lever plates 25.

' In order to maintain the load-seat 23 with its -seat face 24 in its horizontal position during all the swinging movement of the levers 25, I prefer to provide a parallel moving connection which, in the present instance, includes a link 29, the longitudinalaXisbf "which is parallel to the line that connects the axes of the two pins 26 and 21. In order to give this link 29 the desired length, and also at the same time, togive the load-seat 23 the form of a chair," I provide the rear side of the load-seat with an upwardly extending neck 38, and theupper ends of the-links29 are pivotally attached to the upper end of this neck by a common pivot pin 3!. The lower ends of the links 29 are Divotally suppor'ted ona transverse tie rod '32 that connects the side plates Gaand 6b of the carriage at the upperapexof these plates.

Fig. 2 illustrates the relative-position of the parts of the lifting mechanism of the jacks when they are in their positi'omof rest-at which time the lifting face orseat-face 24-01" the-jack, willbe in a depressed position and quite-close to the ground line It, close enough toenable-the-face to be thrust under-theprojectingarm or hub w. In -the-present drawing, the link 29 is formed with a clearance-socket 29ato permit the link-to clear the upper-side of-the -tie bar=or tie pin-26 =40 (see Fig. 2). I

The operating fluid for :actuating the plunger l9 may be supplied -to thecylinder l8 by any means, including a hose leading from the fluid supply or reservoir,-but- -I prefer to supply the operatin -fluid from a reservoir or-tank 33,-under pressure from either one of two pumps 34 and 35. These"pumps arelocated'alongside of each other on the frame (see Fig; 3) and their'plungers are preferably of different-diameters so that one of them can be'used at first for-commencing .the

lifting of the loadwhen the 'jackis in itsposition of rest shown in Fig. .2. This'will require less pressure in the cylinder l8,' because there is' a relatively greater lever-arm between the pivots 26 and 23 than when the upward movement' has nearly reached its maximum. Thepump with the smaller diameter'of piston would-"be used at that time. Each of *thesepumps is provided'with an outlet connection"atthe 'side as'indicated at so 35, from which a hose' 3'l leads-over to one side seat or block 23 wil'l move 'up' ina straight line,

- In order to steady this jacking apparatus, I prefer to provide the frame I with extensions 38 (see Fig. 3), which are preferably pivoted to the outer sides of the frame bar la and lb on suitable vertical pins 39. When the jack is run in under the arm w to lift the wheel, these extensions 33 should extend forward so that feet attached to their forward ends, will rest upon the ground at points beyond the load-seat 23 with respect to the rear end of the jack. In the present instance, these feet 40 are located substantially in the medial plane of the wheel, and this arrangement provides a three-point support for the jack upon the ground, of substantially triangular form, and within this area and near its middle, the line of vertical thrust of the load on the jack is located.

When the extensions 38 are not being used in this'way, they are folded back in the position in which they are indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

This jack is made portable by providing four supporting wheels at separated points, that is to say, at two points 4| at the forward end of the jack, and at two points 42 near the rear end of the jack. The manner of mounting the wheels at all of these points, is substantially the same, and is illustrated in detail in Fig. 4. The construction is such that when there is no load on the jack, the wheels will support the jack frame at a sufficient distance above the ground to enable the jack to be trundled about and brought up and set in position for lifting the load.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the wheel 43 is mounted as a caster wheel, being carried on a downwardly extending wheel bracket 44 formed integral with a disc-dorm head 45. This head 45 is provided with an integral sleeve 46 that telescopes inside of a sleeve-form uide 41, and this guide is carried at the outer end of a bracket 48 that is welded to the outer side of the web 3 of the adjacent side bar Ia or lb.

Resilient means is provided for normally holding the frame in an elevated position, and this preferably consists of a coil spring 49 that is carried within the sleeve 46. The lower end of the spring thrusts against the upper face of the disc head 45, and the upper end thrusts against the screw cap 5i! attached in a socket head 5| welded onto the upper end of the guide sleeve 41. In order to limit the upward movement of the frame by the springs 49, each wheel assembly includes a stem 52 that extends up from the center of the disc head 45 and passes through the screw cap 5B so as to extend a short distance above the same, where it is provided with a nut 53 that is held in a fixed position on the stem 52, by a check nut or a split pin 54. In the operation of the jack of course when the load is exerting its force on the load-seat, the springs 49 will all be compressed, and the jack frame I will move down to the ground level where the foot plate l2 and a similar rear foot plate in will rest upon the ground.

The jack frame will be provided at a suitable point with a handle (not illustrated) for trundling it into position.

Many other embodiments of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In lifting apparatus. the combination of a frame, a carriage guided for movement on the frame, a load-seat for engaging under the load that is to be lifted, power-actuated means mounted on the carriage, connected with the carriage and the load-seat for lifting the load, all of said parts cooperating to advance the carriage on the frame toward a point under the load when the load is lifted, and means atthe forward end of the frame below the load-seat for supporting the forward end of the carriage.

2.,Lifting apparatus according toclaim 1, in which the means at the forward end of the frame for supporting the forward end of the carriage. includes a roller with the lower edge of the carriage rolling on the upper side of the roller and supported by the roller in an elevated position above the ground level.

3. Liftingapparatus according to claim 1. in which the power-actuated means mounted on the carriage, includes a hydraulic cylinder; and including a reservoir supported on the frame, for the operating liquid for the cylinder, a pump for pumping the operating liquid from the reservoir;

to the said hydraulic cylinder, with means including a hose connection for conducting the liquid from the pump to the cylinder, and maintaining the connection to the cylinder in any position that said carriage may assume.

4. In lifting apparatus, the combination of an elongated frame, a carriage including a pair of side members disposed in a substantially vertical plane, transverse tie bars connecting said side members to form a carriage, means for guiding said side members to move forward and back longitudinally along said frame, a hydraulic cylinder located between said side members with a transverse bar connecting said side members and pivotally supporting the said cylinder adjacent its inner end, a lifting lever pivotally supported on each of said side members, said cylinder having a plunger pivotally connected with said side levers for swinging the same upwardly on their pivotal support, a load-seat pivotally carried on said side levers, and means for supplying operating fluid to the hydraulic cylinder, all of said parts cooperating to raise the load on the load-seat and advance the carriage into a position under the load-seat as the load-seat becomes more and more elevated.

5. In a lifting apparatus, the combination of a frame, a carriage guided for movement On the frame, a, load seat for engaging under the load that is to be lifted, a power actuated means mounted on the carriage connected with the carriage and the load seat for lifting the load, the said parts cooperating to advance the carriag on the frame toward a point under the load when the load is lifted, and means for supporting the frame to provide a three point support therefor including frame projections extending forward from the frame and resting upon the ground at points beyond the location of the load seat, and means at the forward end of the frame below the load seat for supporting the forward end of the carriage.

6. In a lifting apparatus, the combination of a frame, a carriage guided for movement on the frame, a load seat for engaging under the load that is to be lifted, a power actuated means mounted on the carriage connected with the carriage and the load seat for lifting the load, the said parts cooperating to advance the carriage on the frame toward a point under the load when the load is lifted, means for supporting the frame to provide a three point support therefor including frame projections extending forward from the frame and resting upon the ground at points beyond the location of the load seat, said frame projections being pivotally mounted on the frame to swing about substantially vertical axes to and from load supporting position, and means at the fonwardi end of" the frameibelow the load seat 'fun' supporting the. fonward end of the carriage;

Li A\ lifting? apparatus comprising: a;- carriage structure; a loadlifting: element; parail'el lever meanszlinking: said loadi lifting eiement a/nd carriage; mpowerunitconnected? between said lever means and: carriage to elevate saidlb'adl lifting; element; a: frame-1 structure fbr supporting said carriage structure, said frame structure adapted tevo'c'cupy 'a fixed position during-:operatiomof said load lifting element, there-being roller elements between saidstructures topermit; movement of said carriagestructure relative to said frame structure under said: load: lifting element; assaiii Toad lifting element -i's-re;isedz 8. A lifting: apparatus as set fortli inclaim F in which: said carriage struetureis substantially triangularin form and the lever means are con= nested thereto adjacent the apex of sa-id' str-ueture'y and said lifting element is movable between 2;; position forwardly of said carriage belbw its apex to aposition above said carriage structure:

9. A lifting" apparatus comprising: acarriage structure; at lbad l'iftingelement; parallellever means-linking said lifting element and carriage;

a power 1 unit conn'ected between said lever means:

andcarriage -to= elevatesaid lifting element; said lba'ad lifting element being movable-from a; posi'-- tion ferwsrdly of said carriagestructure to a. position above said carriage structure; a, frame structure for supportingsaid carriagestructure; roller elements carried ldy thefor-ward extremity of saitl f-rame structure, and'other-rollers carried UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date.

501*,4'10 Due'lly" J'u1'y'7, 1893 1,559;098' Hopkins Oct. 27, 1925" I,940;'82.1 Shinn Dec; 26, 1933' 21039396 Green" May 5; 1936 2240;723' Stoehr' May 6, 1941 23611690 Hunz Oct.31, 1944'.

FOREIGN: PATENTS Number' Country Date 294,665 Italy Mar; 31, 1932' 47 53962 Germany May-7, 1929' 

